...Says Gov. Ambode's Fulfilling Age-long Prophecies In Orile Agege
Ask the people of Orile Agege, they will say it has never been rosy for the community as it is now. As much as more needed to be done in terms of infrastructure and empowerment, within six years of the installation of His Royal Majesty, Ambaliu Akeem Agbedeyi, the Alaige of Orile Agege Kingdom, the erstwhile ancient community has been witnessing steady growths and developments. Thanks to the mutual relationship that exists between the custodian of tradition and political figures in the area. Shortly after witnessing the completion of Jubilee bridge at Abule Egba, some major roads in Orile Agege have been wearing new looks. In this exclusive interview with Agege Pulse, the soft spoken Alaige of Orile Agege opens up on several issues bothering on culture, economy, politics and the resolve to host newly crown Aare Ona Kankafo of Yoruba Land in Orile Agege for Odun Aje festival. Excerpt:
Introduction
My name is Ambaliu Akeem Agbedeyi, the Alaige of Orile Agege Kingdom.
How long have you been on the throne sir?
Its about six years
What are the challenges you faced when you were about to be the king?
There is no one who wants to be the king without him faced some challenges, I had no challenge from my family. It used to be three families which rotate the kingship. It was Komolafe before me. Salami Adegbeye was the first king when he enthroned from Baale. Orisanmi became king after him, then it moved to Komolafe before it became my family's (Agbedeyi) turn again. Other families rose against Agbedeyi family claiming that we are not entitled to kingship. We had to go to kingship secretariat to resolve the grievance. My father, late Aminu Agbedeyi ought to be the next king, but he became very old which he can't go out again. My father called me and said I will the next king. I initially went against it because I was a full celestial evangelist. If I have to be the king, I knew I will have to do with tradition which I never wanted to. I went to my church for advice, I was supported with prayers and warned me to be conscious of my actions as a traditionalist.
My father was never happy with my decision before I later succumbed. In fact, prior to my acceptance, I was faced with many personal life threatening issues. One of them was a terrible accident which almost claimed my life before I became the king. I thank God I was able to overcome those challenges.
How do you manage the demands of traditional doctrines as a king with your Christianity belief?
I deal tactically with the three prominent religions in my kingdom. Someone as a king will definitely deal with all religions in his capacity. When it's time for Islamic, traditional or Christianity festivals, I joined them wholeheartedly. I believe everybody owns the king, hence no discrimination.
Kindly tell us brief history of Orile-Agege.
We are the founder of Agege from Isheri while we hailed from Ile-ife. When we got to Isheri, some went to Ido and Iru. From Iru, our forefather came back to Erekusu. Efunmikan was one of our forefather's son. Efunmikan experienced still birth. He was a hunter. He made consultations and oracle told him to hunt down to Orile before he could bore offspring. Oracle also prophesized that the land would be a fertile land of honour and greatness. Honestly, that's why I'm not worried when all these infrastructural and economic developments are being carried out by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and others. It's an age-long prophesy that Orile Agege would be great and haven for all. He continued the hunting profession in which he sold his hunted animals to Eko. History has it that When he got to Orile, he gave birth to Oshimoro. Oshimoro gave birth to Ogunshi. Ogunshi gave birth to Agbedeyi who later gave birth to Salami and Gbangudu. Gbangudu gave birth to Aminu Agbedeyi Gbangudu who was my own father.
Efunmikan likes dancing in which he was named Ayogesibadi. Ayogesibadi is transformed to Ayege. Hausa people came on board due to the business and the kind of plantations on the Orile land. We had like cocoa, kolanut, coffee and palm kennel plantations. Due to the strength of the Hausas, they were employed to work on our plantations. Along the line, they began to settle down in Orile, all goods were brought to Orile for sales. The community began to experience development and population increment, the village extension of Orile was Agege (Now Agege LGA). Visitors came around to purchase land and started building there. The Hausas couldn't pronounce Aiyege they would rather pronounced it as Agege. That's how the name Agege came by.
What steps have you taken to make Orile-Agege better than how you met it?
There are lots of changes as I work underneath. In terms of security, before I became the king, it was obvious that security was very porous in Orile-Agege. We had issue of street robbers who robbed shops all around, the touts that cause unruly havocs in the community and many vices. All these have drastically reduced due to the disciplinary measures I put in place on assumption.
Orile Agege is blessed with top political figures in Lagos State. What has been your relationship with the No. 3 man in the State and other political leaders In Orile-Agege ?
I have good rapport with them. Our relationship is mutual. Although, I don't interfere with politics because it's different to kingship, the only thing we can do is just to support them with prayers while demanding conducive environment for our people.
How have you been able to influence the impact of government in Agege, especially having the Speaker Of Lagos State House of Assembly from Agege, Hon. Rt. Mudashir Obasa?
Obviously, government is really trying in Agege. Having Obasa, Adaranijo and Ogundimu in government has really given us a head up. I told the three of them about having a general palace here in Orile Agege because we don't have it, and they promised to make the money for the construction available. The next thing for us to get is land of about four plots. We are for it. Also, some roads which I met as dusty roads have been tarred, thereby aiding economic development of our people. They are really trying for us. But, like Oliver Twist, we want more.
How would you rate the incumbent chairman of Orile-Agege LCDA, Hon. J.S Babatunde?
The chairman is doing his best. From work done by him, I have been able to join him to commission three roads and rehabilitation of Schools within our communities. He is also working on building three schools presently. May God continue to give him wisdom to drive Orile Agege to greatness.
How is your relationship with the Olu Agege of Agege, Oba Kamilu Oyedeji Isiba? People say you're inseparable twins, how true is that?
(Laughs…) We have very cordial relationship.
What about a day you wish never came by again?
My saddest day on earth happened to be the day I lost my first child. It was as if the world would end that day. I had watched her grew old and became a mother. She died during the delivery of her fifth child.
Apart from Aje, which deities are worshipped in Orile-Agege?
We worship many deities like Oro, Egun, Osun, Aale and others.
What can you say about the ongoing construction of the Pen Cinema fly over bridge?
Like I said earlier, our government is really trying for us in Agege and Orile Agege. It's not about the Pen Cinema bridge alone. As you can see, the Abule Egba (Jubilee) bridge has been constructed. Can you imagine the beauty and ease of vehicular movement it brought to our community? We can't wait to see the Pen Cinema bridge completed, Governor Ambode is turning Agege and Orile Agege into small London. We appreciate all our representatives too who have been making us proud in the polity.
Tell us about your educational background and kind of work you do before kingship?
I attended Ikeja Local Government School before I had the completion in Ososun, Ifo. After secondary education, I started working as a battery charger. After a while, some of my friends introduced me to iron business which I'm known with till date. I do receive contracts from people to supply iron needed on their buildings. I got more contracts because I engaged with my father on the sale of lands. After selling any land, I introduce my business to the buyers and we agree on what would be need to build their choice houses. That was what I did till I became a king.
What's your favorite food sir?
I love eating beans a lot. Also, I like taking bread fruits.
What advice do you have for the youths sir?
Youths are the leader of tomorrow. In every occasion I go to, I always advice the youths to be of good behavior. They should stay away from bad characters like hooliganism and other social vices. The reward of vices is negativity.
